Electronic anti-theft locking system

ABSTRACT

An electronic anti-theft locking system comprising a key for unlocking the mechanism, and a mating key for setting the combination of the system. The mechanism operates using logic principles, but uniquely features electromechanical circuitry. Since no expensive electronics need be used, the system is highly reliable and inexpensive to manufacture. A combination is set in both the unlocking segment of the system, and the combination segment of the system. When the two combinations match, a bolt, solenoid or other output is activated. The combinations in the two segments of the system are formed by a number of SPDT switches. The combination segment of the system may be made like the keyway of the unlocking segment. A key throws the switches in each keyway to form a pattern or combination. Another embodiment of the invention features setting the combination by a set of multi-pole rotary switches. A corresponding panel of multi-pole rotary switches are electrically connected to the other set of switches. A matching combination in both switch panels will effect release of a locking mechanism, or send a signal to an output circuit. A high number of permutations is possible.

United States Patent 1191 Goldman Jan. 1, 1974 1 ELECTRONIC ANTI-THEFTLOCKING SYSTEM [76] Inventor: Gerald M. Goldman, Knollwood Extension,Elmsford, N.Y. 10523 [22] Filed: Nov. 18, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 199,883

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.864,801, Oct. 8,

1969, Pat. No. 3,631,301.

[52] US. Cl 70/278, 200/43, 307/115, 317/134, 340/274 [51] Int. Cl. E05b47/04 [58] Field of Search 70/277, 278; 317/134; 200/43, 44, 45;307/113, 115

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,819,770 l/1958 Gibbs180/82 3,500,326 3/1970 Benford..... 340/147 3,024,452 3/1962 Leonardmn340/274 1,923,968 8/1933 Chase 70/278 1,692,878 11/1928 Watts 200/443,165,599 1/1965 Clay 200/44 3,631,301 12/1971 Goldman 317/134 FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 523,003 4/1931 Germany 200/44 A1 AZ As PrimaryExaminerAlbert G. Craig, .lr. Att0rneyPaul J. Sutton [57] ABSTRACT Anelectronic anti-theft locking system comprising a key for unlocking themechanism, and a mating key for setting the combination of the system.The mechanism'operates using logic principles, but uniquely featureselectromechanical circuitry. Since no expensive electronics need beused, the system is highly reliable and inexpensive to manufacture. Acombination is set in both the unlocking segment of the system, and thecombination segment of the system. When the two combinations match, abolt, solenoid or other output is activated. The combinations in the twosegments of the system are formed by a number of SPDT switches. Thecombination segment of the system may be made like the keyway of theunlocking segment. A key throws the switches in each keyway to form apattern or combination. Another embodiment of the invention featuressetting the combination by a set of multi-pole rotary switches. Acorresponding panel of multi-pole rotary switches are electricallyconnected to the other set of switches. A matching combination in bothswitch panels will effect release of a locking mechanism, or send asignal to an output circuit. A high number of permutations is possible.

10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures Our 1 ELECTRONIC ANTI-THEFT LOCKING SYSTEMRELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of thepreviously filed copending application for an Electronic Anti-theftSystem, Ser. No. 864,801, filed Oct. 8, 1969, now U.S. Pat. No.3,631,301, issued Dec. 28, 1971.

In the copending application, a pass key, having a predeterminedprofile, when placed in a keyway, carries out a switching functionwhich, in an associated logic circuit, establishes an electrical testpattern whose nature depends on the key formation or profile. Also setup in the logic circuit is an electrical reference pattern whose naturedepends on the formation of a replaceable coded reference key. Thisreference key is totally inaccessible from the front of the door.

The logic circuit is so arranged that if the electrical test patterncreated by the pass key exactly matches the electrical reference patternestablished by the reference key, an output will be generated whichserves to electromagnetically unlock the locking mechanism. But if awrong pass key is used, the patterns will be mismatched, and not onlywill the lock remain closed, but an alarm will be set off to callattention to this fact.

Should the proper pass key be lost and it become necessary to useanother key, this does not require a new logic circuit or any otherbasic alteration of the system, for all that one need do is to replacethe existing reference key with a fresh insert, thereby setting up a newelectrical reference pattern, and to make use of a pass key having atest pattern compatible therewith.

In short, the crucial feature in the copending application resides in alogic circuit adapted to compare a test pattern established by the userspass key when inserted in the keyway which an existing reference patterncreated by the replaceable reference key, the logic circuit yielding anoutput to activate the locking mechanism only when the two patternsexactly match. Thus, each reference key effectively reconditions thelogic circuit to render it receptive only to a pass key consonant withthe insert.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The main object of the present invention is toprovide an electronic locking system of the type disclosed in mycopending application, but having a highly simplified logic circuitavoiding the need for semi-conductor elements and making use ofinexpensive switches connected in a series pattern. The logic circuitemployed in the present invention involves only connections betweenswitches, the connections therebetween being determined as a function ofa key or code pattern, thereby creating a system that is reliable andefficient in operation and yet of low cost.

In general, the electronic locking systems currently in use displaycomplex componentry which reduces their reliability and increases theircost. Moreover, none of the presently known systems provide for settingthe combination by means of a mating key as is accomplished in myearlier copending application and in the present application.

The use of a key instead of a card to produce a code combination is muchmore practical, since the general public is accustomed to carrying keys.Keys can be made or duplicated by any locksmith on existing machinery,whereas cards cannot be so made or duplicated. Certain systems, such asthose shown in the Welsh U.S. Pat. No. 3,403,380, require that anonconducting material be used for the card. The present systems do nothave such a requirement. If a conducting card is accidentally used insuch systems, a potential shock hazard results. A conducting key as usedin the present invention can be made to be safe. Keys present greaterversatility since they can be made to have any shape or toothconfiguration.

It is another object of the invention to provide a logic system for ananti-theft device that requires no expensive electronic components forthe basic sensing and switching system, that is safe and free ofelectrical hazards and through using logic principles, is basicallyelectromechanically constructed.

Briefly stated, the invention deals with an anti-theft system having afirst set of electrical switches disposed in a keyway portion thereof,and a second set of switches disposed in the reference combinationsetting section. The switches are generally of a single-poledouble-throwtype, so that a logic condition may be produced, i.e., a go or no-go"function is obtained depending upon the switch position. The switches ofthe keyway are interconnected to the switches of the combinationsection. First, a reference key is inserted in the combination sectionto set the combination switch pattern for the system. A pass-key havinga corresponding or complementary formation is then inserted into thekeyway, thereby creating a combination pattern in the keyway. If bothcombinations match, then a release condition is effected for the system.

More particularly, the present system connects the two sets of switchesin series. The poles of the switches in the keyway are connected to thepoles of the switches in the reference combination section. The polepoints in each switch correspond to their counterpart poles in the othercombination setting section. This is accomplished by pairing switches ineach segment. After the switches are paired together, they are connectedin series so that a mating combination in each segment will produce aconducting circuit, and a non-mating condition will be non-conducting.The position of the switches, or pole position, is determined by theprofile of the keys, or the presence or absence of a tooth of a key.

OUTLINE OF THE DRAWINGS These and other objects of the invention will bebetter understood and become more apparent with reference to thefollowing detailed description and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the anti-theft system of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the electrical circuitry of the inventionwith the switches set in their proper mating pattern to accomplish arelease condition;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the circuitry of FIG. 2 with the switchesset in an alternate mating pattern to effect a release condition;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the circuitry of FIG. 2 with the switchesset in an improper or non-mating pattern, so that a release conditionwill not be effected:

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an electrical circuit embodiment featuringmulti-pole switches; and

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of one possible keyway configuration of thisinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION can have the same construction as theset of switches 4. Likewise, key 12 which fits switches 14, may have acorresponding profile with the key 2.

The switches 9 in the reference and in the pass-key combination segmentsof the systemare generally single-pole double-throw (SPDT). Because theswitches in each keyway are SPDT switches, a logic pattern is developedin each switch of each segment of the system, i.e., a go" no gocondition is set up for each switch. When the combination of the set ofswitches 4 corresponds to the combination of the reference set ofswitches 14, a conducting circuit is completed, sending a signal shownby arrow 10, to the output circuit 5. Power may then be supplied to asolenoid 6 or other output device, as shown by arrow 11.

Now referring to FIG. 2, a schematic view of the circuitry of thisinvention is shown. For the purpose of illustration only, four pairs ofswitches are depicted. The set of switches denominated S1 through S4refer to those switches disposed in the keyway 4. The switchesdenominated S11 through S14 are those switches disposed in the referencecombination setting keyway 14.

All the switches are single-pole-double-throw (SPDT). Switches S1through S4 each have two pole positions a and b respectively. Switch S1has a movable armature or slider 21 which can be set either at poleposition a or at pole position b. Similarly, switches S2, S3, and S4,have sliders 22, 23 and 24, respectively, that are set in like fashion.

Switches 811 through S14 each have two pole positions and d.respectively. Switch S11 has a slider 31 that can be set either at poleposition 0 or at pole position d. Similarly, switches S12, S13, and S14have sliders 32, 33 and 34, respectively, that are set in like fashionto switch S11.

Switches 811 through S14 are set by key 12 inserted into the referencecombination keyway l4.

Switches S1 through S4 are set by key 2 inserted into keyway 4. Key 12will position sliders 31, 32, 33, and 34 in either of their two polepositions 0 and d, respectively. The pass-key 2 will position sliders21, 22, 23, and 24, in either of their two pole positions a or b,respectively.

The circuit of FIG. 2 shows each of sliders 21, 22, 23 and 24 in their aposition, and each of sliders 31, 32, 33 and 34, in their c poleposition, respectively. Pole position a corresponds with the poleposition c, i.e., they are conductively linked together. Pole positionsb and d correspond, and are conductively linked.

Since corresponding pole positions a and c are all thrown in the circuitdepicted in FIG. 2, a conducting series circuit has been created. Thus,current will be made to flow from input point 20 to output point 30.This current flow will activate the output circuit as shown in FIG. 1.FIG. 3 shows an alternate conducting configuration as compared to theone shown in FIG. 2.

In the circuit of FIG. 3 poles b and d match for switches S1 and S11,and for S3 and S13, while poles a and 0 correspond in switches S2 andS12 and switches S4 and S14, as shown.

Matching keys will throw the switches in each keyway to theircorresponding pole positions to complete a conducting circuitconfiguration. The presence or absence of a tooth on the respective keysdetermines the pole position for the switch it services.

Keys that do not mate or match will produce a nonconducting circuitconfiguration like the one shown in FIG. 4. In this circuitconfiguration, switches .81 through S4 are all in their a pole position.However, only switches S12 and S14 are in the matching pole position 0.Since Switches S11 and S13 are in noncorresponding pole position d, anon-conducting or open-circuit configuration is produced and the lockingsolenoid will not be energized.

The switches in this circuit can be of the type where a key must remainin the keyway to maintain the setting of the switches, or of the typewhere the the switches remain set and the key can be removed. Manyvariations in the circuitry and the keys can be made. For example, ifthe pole positions are inverted, i.e., pole a now corresponds with poleposition 11, and b corresponds with c, mating keys will now feature aninverted image with each other. In other words, where the first key hasa tooth, the second key will be blank, and vice versa, so that tooperate the lock, the combination setting or reference key and thepass-key are complementary.

Another variation can be made by pairing different switches together,viz., S1 and S14, S2 with S 13, etc., etc. Other pairing combinationsare of course possible. An inverted pairing of the switches will alsochange the tooth configuration of the keys that will produce a matchingcombination, wherein the keys will not appear identical with each other.

Other modifications in the circuitry may include the use of contacts inplace of switches in some cases. An alarm circuit can be incorporated sothat a nonconducting configuration (wrong key) will activate a warningsignal.

The set of switches in segments 4 and/or 14 (switches S1-S4, and/orswitches S11-S14) may have the mechanical configuration shown in FIG. 6.A key 2 having discrete profile teeth 7 is inserted into a series ofswitches 9 shown here in an exploded view. The key fits the switches 9through keyway 40, having teeth slots 41. The switches are stacked organged together, and held in place by two rods extending through holes19 in each switch. The switches 9 have an outer stationary piece 18 heldin place by rods 49 as aforementioned, and an inner rotating piece 8.Both pieces 8 and 18 are non-conducting, and respectively, have keyway40 with teeth slots 41 for the passage of key 2. If a tooth 7 is presentat any tooth slot 41 of any disc 8, it will cause disc 8 to rotate insleeve 18 when the key is turned as shown by arrow 50. Since all theswitches 9 are constructed the same way, the rotation of each disc 8 isdependent upon its corresponding tooth 7. If a particular switch 9 seesno tooth from the key 2, then its disc will not be made to turn.

Each switch 9 has three contacts, 43, 43a, and 43b, respectively.Contact 43 corresponds to the common pole point of the SPDT switch.Contacts 43a and 43b, respectively, correspond to the end poles of theswitch.

Disc 8 has a sliding contact band 48 which makes contact with eithercombination (43, 43a) or (43, 43b) as it rotates. In the initial orunturned condition, band 48 will make a circuit between contacts 43 and43a. In the rotated position, band 48 of disc 8 will make a circuitbetween contacts 43 and 43b. The teeth on the key 2 are positioned tocontact only the disc portion of each switch. If any tooth is made toolarge so that it extend into slot 41 of any stationary piece 18, the keywill not be able to turn, and the whole set of switches will not becaused to operate. It has been found, however, that the tolerances arenot very great for a normal keyway having between ten and twentyswitches. As a result, the possibility of tooth overlap is not aproblem.

When a tooth is not present, the base of the key profile 51 will rotatewithin hollow 40 of its corresponding disc 8, causing a non-rotatingcondition for that disc. In other words, if no tooth is present for thatparticular switch, a circuit will be had between contacts 43 and 43a.

When a tooth is present, it will fit within slot 41 of disc 8 for thatparticular switch 9 and cause the disc 8 to respond when the key isturned. When the key is rotated, the disc 8 will turn in the samedirection as the key. A limiting pin 44 is anchored in disc 8 andprevents overshooting of the disc within stationary sleeve 18- by meansof slot 42 in which it rides. This insures positive contact of band 48with contacts (43, 430) or (43, 43b), respectively.

Band 48 corresponds to the sliders of the electrical circuitry shown inF168. 2-4. Poles 43a, and 43b, respectively, correspond to individualpoles a and b or poles c and d of these Figures.

The nice feature of the design is that each switch 9 is made the same,and each set of switches for the pass? key and reference key is also thesame, thus reducing manufacturing costs. Also, it will be seen from FIG.6, that the switches are completely enclosed, and never see contact withthe key. The keyway presents to the observer looking into the keyway, asmooth flat surface with no contacts.

Since each keyway for every lock is the same, every keyway looks thesame, so that no information is given to someone trying to intrude.Also, if a keyway is removed from its door, only dangling wires will beseen by the intruder. He will have no way of correlating how to matchall the wires to produce a conducting circuit, since the combination ofswitches in the reference keyway is inexcessible to his view, i.e., thereference keyway is hidden behind the door, or another inaccessiblepartition out of the reach of the intruder.

It is evident from the foregoing, that a superior system has beendeveloped that meets all the objectives aforementioned. Each switch maybe molded of nonconducting plastic except for the contacts or sliderportion. Since the switch keyway is of basic nonconducting construction,no shock hazard is ever introduced. Contacts 43, 43a, and 43b may needno wiring if snapped into a circuit board, or the switches 9 maythemselves be made as a circuit board having parts receptive to keypositions, with each circuit board (switch 9) being ganged to the nextcircuit board (switch 9). This latter scheme would have both keywaycircuits 4 and 14 on the same board already connected to each other.

Another embodiment of the invention is depicted in F IG. 5. Thisembodiment proposes the replacement of all the SPDT switches withmulti-pole rotary switches having, for example, 10 pole positions. Ofcourse, these rotary switches may have any 'number of poles and/orthrows. In this circuit, switch S1 has been replaced by switch A1,switch S11 has been substituted for switch Bl, etc., etc. in order forthis circuit to produce a conducting configuration, corresponding polesmust again match. Therefore, pole position 6 of A]. must match pole 6 ofB1, and pole position 3 of A2 must be matched with pole position 3 ofB2, etc., etc.

The embodiment may replace the keyways of FIG. 1

with two panels of rotary switches. Thus, keyway 4 will now be a panelwith switches Al through An, and keyway 14 will be a second panel withswitches Bl through Bn. When either panel A1...An, or Bl...Bn, is set ina discrete pattern, a conducting circuit will be obtained by setting theother panel in a matching pattern. It should be noted, however, thatinverted pole positions, and inverse pairing is also possible for thisembodiment as was previously mentioned. For example, combinations9,6,3,l,0,5, in the first panel may correspond to the inverted setting5,0,1,3,6,9, in the second panel.

A time generated combinated can be designed where several (or all) ofthe combination reference portion switches can be set by a timingmechanism. Thus, the releasing combination will change with time, orbecome inert until a certain time is reached.

In hotels and motels, the circuitry may be designed so that there is anexternal switch in the main office that will open the door, or preventthe door from opening. The switch or switches may be wired directly tothe output circuit, by-passing the keyways. The combination settingkeyway can also be in the main office and wired to the keyway in thedoor. This will facilitate cleaning the room or allowing entrance forloss of key.

Because many modifications and changes have been discussed and othercontemplated are known in the art, the above discussion and the includeddrawings are deemed exemplary in nature, and the scope and purview ofthis invention should be interpreted with respect to the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. An electrically-controlled locking system operable only by personnelcarrying a pass-key having a profile which matches or complements theprofile of a reference key, said system comprising:

a. a signal-operated locking mechanism including a lock which isreleasable to permit entry only when a signal is applied to themechanism;

b. a keyway whose opening is generally accesible,

said keyway having a first group of single pole, double throw, switchestherein which are selectively actuated by insertion of said pass-key tocreate test switching connections which depend on the profile thereof, athrow position of each switch of said first group of switches beingobtained by turning said pass-key to an actuation position, whereby aparticular pole of each switch of said first group of switches isselected;

c. a combination setting device installed at a generally inaccessibleposition constituted by a second group of single pole, double throw,switches which are selectively actuated by said reference key to createreference switching connections depending on the profile of thereference key, a throw position of each switch of said second group ofswitches being obtained by turning said reference key to an actuationposition, whereby a particular pole of each switchof said second groupof switches is selected;

d. means interconnecting said first and second group of switches toproduce a series circuit, said interconnecting means including readilyconnecting means comprising at least one circuit board into which thepoles of said first and second groups of switches are respectivelyconnected, said series circuit being defined by said test and referenceconnections and being electrically a closed circuit only when theinserted pass-key matches or complements the reference key, the circuitotherwise being open; and

e. means to interpose said series circuit between a signal source andsaid locking mechanism to produce said signal only when the circuit isclosed.

2. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said lock is constituted bya bolt operating in conjunction with a solenoid responsive to saidsignal.

3. A system as set forth in claim 1, further including an alarm, andmeans to activate said alarm in the event the inserted keys aremismatched.

4. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the combination settingdevice is constituted by a reference keyway corresponding to said keywayhaving a first group of switches whereby a signal is produced only whenthe profile of the inserted pass-key is identical to the profile of thereference key.

5. A system as set forth in claim 1, further including means to apply asignal to said locking mechanism which by-passes said series circuit toprovide for emergency access.

6. The electrically-controlled locking system of claim 1, wherein thefirst and the second groups of switches are invertedly arranged withrespect to each other, and

I whereby said keys do not have to match in order to provide a closedcircuit.

7. An electronically-controlled system associated with a solenoid andarranged to activate said solenoid only when a pass-key having aparticular profile is inserted by a key holder, said system comprising:a. a keyway mounted at a position accessible to key holders, said keywaybeing provided with a first group of single pole, double throw,electrical switches which are selectively activated by a passkeyinserted therein in accordance with the profile thereof to create a testswitching pattern, a throw position of each switch of said first groupof switches being obtained by turning said pass-key to an actuationposition, whereby a particular pole of each switch of said first groupof switches is selected;

b. a second group of single pole, double throw, electrical switcheswhich are mounted at a position generally inaccessible to key holdersand which are selectively activated by a profiled reference key inaccordance with the profile thereof to create a reference switchingpattern, a throw position of each switch of said second group ofswitches being obtained by turning said reference key to an actuationposition, whereby a particular pole of each switch of said second groupof switches is selected;

c. means interconnecting said first and second groups of switches toproduce a series circuit which is closed only when the switchingpatterns produced by the keys are those established by keys which matchor complement each other, the circuit otherwise being open, saidinterconnecting means including readily connecting means comprising atleast one circuit board into which the poles of said first and secondgroups of switches are respectively connected; and

d. means to interpose said series circuit between a voltage source andsaid solenoid to activate said solenoid only when the series circuit isclosed.

8. A system as set forth in claim 7, wherein the switches in the firstgroup are alternately interconnected to the switches in the secondgroup.

9. An electrically controlled system as set forth in claim 7, whereinsaid solenoid is arranged when activated to operate the ignition systemof a vehicle, said second group of switches and said reference key beingconcealed in said vehicle.

10. The electrically-controlled system of claim 7, wherein the first andthe second groups of switches are invertedly arranged with respect toeach other, and whereby said keys do not have to match in order toprovide a closed circuit.

1. An electrically-controlled locking system operable only by personnelcarrying a pass-key having a profile which matches or complements theprofile of a reference key, said system comprising: a. a signal-operatedlocking mechanism including a lock which is releasable to permit entryonly when a signal is applied to the mechanism; b. a keyway whoseopening is generally accesible, said keyway having a first group ofsingle pole, double throw, switches therein which are selectivelyactuated by insertion of said pass-key to create test switchingconnections which depend on the profile thereof, a throw position ofeach switch of said first group of switches being obtained by turningsaid pass-key to an actuation position, whereby a particular pole ofeach switch of said first group of switches is selected; c. acombination setting device installed at a generally inaccessibleposition constituted by a second group of single pole, double throw,switches which are selectively actuated by said reference key to createreference switching connections depending on the profile of thereference key, a throw position of each switch of said second group ofswitches being obtained by turning said reference key to an actuationposition, whereby a particular pole of each switch of said second groupof switches is selected; d. means interconnecting said first and secondgroup of switches to produce a series circuit, said interconnectingmeans including readily connecting means comprising at least one circuitboard into which the poles of said first and second groups of switchesare respectively connected, said series circuit being defined by saidtest and reference connections and being electrically a closed circuitonly when the inserted pass-key matches or complements the referencekey, the circuit otherwise being open; and e. means to interpose saidseries circuit between a signal source and said locking mechanism toproduce said signal only when the circuit is closed.
 2. A system as setforth in claim 1, wherein said lock is constituted by a bolt operatingin conjunction with a solenoid responsive to said signal.
 3. A system asset forth in claim 1, further including an alarm, and means to activatesaid alarm in the event the inserted keys are mismatched.
 4. A system asset forth in claim 1, wherein the combination setting device isconstituted by a reference keyway corresponding to Said keyway having afirst group of switches whereby a signal is produced only when theprofile of the inserted pass-key is identical to the profile of thereference key.
 5. A system as set forth in claim 1, further includingmeans to apply a signal to said locking mechanism which by-passes saidseries circuit to provide for emergency access.
 6. Theelectrically-controlled locking system of claim 1, wherein the first andthe second groups of switches are invertedly arranged with respect toeach other, and whereby said keys do not have to match in order toprovide a closed circuit.
 7. An electronically-controlled systemassociated with a solenoid and arranged to activate said solenoid onlywhen a pass-key having a particular profile is inserted by a key holder,said system comprising: a. a keyway mounted at a position accessible tokey holders, said keyway being provided with a first group of singlepole, double throw, electrical switches which are selectively activatedby a pass-key inserted therein in accordance with the profile thereof tocreate a test switching pattern, a throw position of each switch of saidfirst group of switches being obtained by turning said pass-key to anactuation position, whereby a particular pole of each switch of saidfirst group of switches is selected; b. a second group of single pole,double throw, electrical switches which are mounted at a positiongenerally inaccessible to key holders and which are selectivelyactivated by a profiled reference key in accordance with the profilethereof to create a reference switching pattern, a throw position ofeach switch of said second group of switches being obtained by turningsaid reference key to an actuation position, whereby a particular poleof each switch of said second group of switches is selected; c. meansinterconnecting said first and second groups of switches to produce aseries circuit which is closed only when the switching patterns producedby the keys are those established by keys which match or complement eachother, the circuit otherwise being open, said interconnecting meansincluding readily connecting means comprising at least one circuit boardinto which the poles of said first and second groups of switches arerespectively connected; and d. means to interpose said series circuitbetween a voltage source and said solenoid to activate said solenoidonly when the series circuit is closed.
 8. A system as set forth inclaim 7, wherein the switches in the first group are alternatelyinterconnected to the switches in the second group.
 9. An electricallycontrolled system as set forth in claim 7, wherein said solenoid isarranged when activated to operate the ignition system of a vehicle,said second group of switches and said reference key being concealed insaid vehicle.
 10. The electrically-controlled system of claim 7, whereinthe first and the second groups of switches are invertedly arranged withrespect to each other, and whereby said keys do not have to match inorder to provide a closed circuit.